Owners of former Brennan’s Restaurant property want leftovers taken away

NEW ORLEANS— New owners of the property at 417-425 Royal Street ask the court to rule on competing claims over leftover personal property at the former restaurant.

417 Royal Street LLC filed suit against Brennan’s Inc., Owen “Pip” Brennan, Shawn Tiffany Brennan and Samantha Scott Brennan, as co-executors of the succession of James Charles Brennan, and Ted Brennan in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

The suit claims that on May 23, the property that formerly housed Brennan’s Restaurant was sold by the Sheriff for Orleans Parish to Leggo/4 LLC, which then transferred ownership to 417 Royal Street. When Brennan’s failed to vacate, the plaintiff obtained a writ of possession to terminate Brennan’s occupancy on June 27. At that time, the Sheriff also seized some movable property from the location.

The plaintiff, wishing to release personal items to the proper owners, notified potentially interested parties and requested that those parties identify themselves and provide proof of ownership of their items. Several defendants contacted the plaintiff’s counsel and asserted conflicting claims. Claims were made by the individual defendants and on behalf of the estate of James Charles Brennan, and Brennan’s Inc. for wine and champagne in the restaurant’s cellar valued at $321,228.97, cherub statues, LSU Artwork, a pirate picture, a picture of Owen E. Brennan, Sr., framed newspaper articles and personal photographs found on the premises.

Because 417 Royal was unable to identify the proper owners, they asked the court to oversee various claims and remove all liability from 417 Royal in connection with the items and the proceedings. They also seek an order prohibiting defendants from instituting or prosecuting in any court any other action on the claim involved and an order that all costs of the proceedings be charged to the defendants.

The plaintiff is represented by Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC.

The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Ethel S. Julien.

Case no. 2013-06763.